Archive for
February 2012

Today on NewsTalk, our political panel – David Mark, Scott Thuman and Adam Tragone – talked about Mitt Romney’s wins in this week’s primaries, and they previewed the big Super Tuesday contests coming up next week.

Americans Elect COO Elliot Ackerman joined us to discuss group’s presidential selection process. Americans Elect is an organization designed to give voters a centrist alternative to the established parties.

And Washington Post reporter Eli Saslow talked about his book, “Ten Letters,” which looks at the correspondence, from ordinary Americans, that President Obama reads each night.

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Today on NewsTalk, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell talked about the recent abortion controversy that has generated national headlines. We also discussed the legislature’s rejection of a “personhood” amendment, the budget impasse in the state Senate, transportation funding, the high price of gas, and the race for the Republican presidential nomination.

WTOP’s Adam Tuss discussed transportation issues.

Reporter Pam Brown talked about the impact combat stress has on some military dogs.

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Today on NewsTalk, guest-host Jennifer Donelan was joined by former federal prosecutor Jim Shalleck and UDC law school dean Shelley Broderick, who offered analysis of George Huguely's second degree murder conviction.

Janice Goldwater, executive director and founder of Adoption Together, discussed a bill to allow adoption agencies in Virginia to deny placements based on religious and moral beliefs.

We talked about what women should do to keep their hearts healthy with Dr. Roquell Wyche, a cardiologist at Medstar Washington Hospital Center, and heart attack survivor Gail Harris-Barry.

And Gerri Walsh, President of the FINRA Foundation, talked about financial planning for military families.

Friday on NewsTalk, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton talked about the debate over contraception, budget freedom for the District, the debate over extending the payroll tax holiday and transportation.

Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker discussed his endorsement of a luxury casino at National Harbor and local leaders' opposition to Governor O'Malley's proposal to shift teacher pensions to the counties.

And Politico's Dave Levinthal talked about the cozy relationship between presidential candidates and their supposedly independent Super PACs.

We met a dog that was saved from a puppy mill in Arkansas – a blind Lhasa Apso that is being nursed back to health by the Washington Animal Rescue League.

And we spoke with DC Councilman Marion Barry about his confrontation with colleague David Catania, the city’s finances, the lottery contract, ethics, and his former aide’s bid to unseat him in the April primary.

Today on NewsTalk, DC Mayor Vince Gray talked about last weekend’s citizen summit, allegations of double-dipping by government workers, the statehood trip to New Hampshire and DC ‘s finances. We also talked about President Obama’s bid to get Congress to approve budget autonomy for the city.

Then, Washington Post reporter Gene Wang and Tom Threlkeld of the DC Pro Sports looked at whether the Redskins should make a play for Colts QB Peyton Manning. Also, the departure of U-Md. quarterback Danny O’Brien.

Today on NewsTalk, we talked with DC Councilman David Catania about United Medical Center, the city’s surplus, the performance of DC’s Chief Financial Officer, gambling and campaign finance.

Catania called for CFO Gandhi to resign and said categorically he will not support his reappointment when his term expires this spring. He also spoke critically of the process by which internet gambling was approved. He said the proposed ban on corporate campaign contributions – while well-intended – may lead to a system that has less disclosure than the current one.

Politico editor Isaac Dovere talked about the debate over whether Catholic-run institutions should be required to offer health plans that cover contraception.

And 94.7 Fresh FM’s Tommy McFly discussed the death of pop sensation Whitney Houston and last night’s Grammy awards show.

Saturday night, just hours after news broke that Whitney Houston had died, the District Department of Motor Vehicles paid tribute to the singer with a contest on Twitter, offering a "fast pass" to the first of its followers to correctly answer one of several trivia questions:

Today on NewsTalk, we looked at the trial of George Huguely, the UVA lacrosse star accused of murder in the death of his girlfriend, Yardley Love. Huguely’s attorneys hope to show that he didn’t intend to kill Love when the two fought in May, 2010. Legal analysts Jim Shalleck and Shelley Broderick discussed the challenge the defense team faces and the overarching role jury selection plays in high-profile court trials.

The shift in power in Richmond is starting to take hold. And today we spoke with political analyst Stephen Farnsworth about the conservative legislation that breathes new life because the GOP has taken control of the state Senate.

In our last segment, we looked at whether the Komen Foundation can undo the damage caused by the Planned Parenthood controversy. Our guest, Washington Times columnist Deborah Simmons, said it will depend on how the organization’s significant grassroots network responds to the recent headlines.

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Today on NewsTalk, Washington Business Journal reporter Missy Frederick talked about the federal government’s decision to have Donald Trump convert the Old Post Office Pavilion into a luxury hotel.

We discussed the issues female ex-offenders face after they’ve served their time. The Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) is holding its tenth annual Women’s Forum this Saturday at a church in the District. (For more information, go to www.csosa.gov.)

In our last segment we aired the first 12 minutes of Attorney General Eric Holder’s press conference on the multi-billion-dollar foreclosure settlement that was announced today.

WATCH today’s interviews here:

Friday at 10am: Analysis of the Huguely murder trial and Virginia political analyst Stephen Farnsworth

Today on NewsTalk, DC Council Chairman Kwame Brown discussed a wide range of issues, including his the city’s new-found surplus, taxi service, gambling and education.

Brown said it’s important that DC cabs be equipped to accommodate wheelchairs and accept credit cards. And he echoed complaints heard often by African-American men, saying he too has trouble hailing a cab in front of the Wilson Building.

He was noncommittal on whether DC’s Chief Financial Officer, Dr. Natwar Gandhi, should be reappointed, saying the city might benefit from a “fresh set of eyes.”

Today on NewsTalk, Washington Post reporter Mike DeBonis talked about the suspension of nearly one hundred DC government workers suspected of receiving unemployment benefits while collecting city paychecks.

We discussed the deteriorating situation in Syria with CSIS scholar Aram Nerguizian.

We asked Politico's Alex Burns whether anyone can stop Mitt Romney and about the controversial ad being run by U.S. Senate hopeful Pete Hoekstra.

And Robin Ficker talked about his bid to unseat a fellow Republican, Rep. Roscoe Bartlett.

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Today on NewsTalk, we spoke with Maryland state Delegates Jolene Ivey and Heather Mizeur about Gov. O’Malley’s legislative agenda. Both expressed reluctance to support the governor’s call for new taxes, saying middle class families are already stretched thin. We also discussed the proposal to legalize gambling in Prince George’s and the measure to allow same-sex couples to marry.

In our second half hour, the DC Pro Sports Report’s Tom Threlkeld talked about the Giants win over the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. We also discussed the halftime show, the ads, and whether the Redskins should pursue Peyton Manning.

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Today on NewsTalk, Northern Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly (D) talked about the news that American employers added nearly 250,000 jobs in January. The hiring surge beat expectations and dropped the nation’s jobless rate to near 8 percent. We also discussed the proposal to freeze federal worker pay, which Connolly called unfair and said will hurt the region’s economy.

We then previewed Super Bowl XLVI with former Giants and Jets LB John Booty and former Redskins lineman Ravin Caldwell. They also looked at the Redskins prospects for a turnaround next season and whether the team should go after Peyton Manning.

WATCH today’s interviews here:

Monday at 10am: Del. Heather Mizeur (D-Montgomery) and a recap of the Super Bowl